Victor and Gizel make their way through forests, over mountain passes, and open fields in an attempt to escape the kingdom of Fryden.
"Victor, how much longer is it going to take us?"
Victor remains silent, only focusing on what's in front of him. This irritates Gizel to the point that she purposefully tries to slow him down by obstructing his way. This has no effect as Victor plows ahead at incredible speed.
"Just how powerful is he already? We've been running for weeks, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. I'm more experienced, but I'm already reaching reaching my limit. Just what exactly is he?"
Victor stops suddenly, causing Gizel to crash into him, and they both go rolling down the hillside. When Victor opens his eyes, he sees Gizel lying on top of him, her hair tickles his nose, and he sneezes, waking her up. When she regains her sense and looks down at Victor, she blushes and jumps off him as quickly as a cat that gets surprised. Gizel turns her back to Victor as he gets back up.
"Please don't come any closer. I can't believe I ended up in a situation like that, especially with a boy who is younger than me."
"Glad to know you're not hurt, Gizel. Oh, by the way, I've never had that happen to me before, and to be honest, it felt really nice. My dad would always tell me that age is just a number, and -"
Victor choked on his words before he could say anymore as he remembers what happened to his father. He goes silent and tries not to cry. Gizel looks over her shoulder and sees the pain he is going through. Without thinking, she turns around and holds him in a tight embrace. The dams of tears in his eyes burst, and he starts crying all his emotions out into Gizels shoulder.
"There, there, Victor, cry as much as you want. I won't leave you alone while you're suffering."
After almost an hour of crying, Victor falls asleep, and Gizel makes him a lap pillow to rest on. She tenderly strokes his hair like that of a mother, and they spend the night without moving from their positions.
The following morning, as Victor slowly wakes up, he sees clear blue skies and beautiful green leaves with the animals making their morning sounds. He feels something soft behind his head and looks behind himself, and his gaze falls on the perfect complexion of a sleeping Gizel. He can feel himself blush but does not move for a long while.
Gizel wakes up, only to find Victor no longer lying on her lap. She starts panicking and frantically searches for Victor, only to find him gathering water from a stream close to where they spent the night. Victor notices Gizel, and his face lights up into a smile, which surprises her. He walks right up to her and embraces her in a hug. She freezes, unable to move but relaxes as Victor speaks gentle words.
"Thank you so much for what you did. I feel much better now because of it. Shall we get going?"
He leaves her, and they both nod. They continue heading towards the border and come to a sudden stop. A multitude of guards stand out to watch over the border wall, making it impossible for them to slip past unnoticed.
"How are we going to get through this Victor? Without drawing attention to ourselves?"
"How much money do you have, Gizel?"
"What!? What has that got to do with anything?"
"Relax will you. If we can find a merchant who's willing to smuggle us through, then we'll have to pay him."
Gizel is reluctant but goes ahead with it. They carefully make their way to the border when Victor notices a merchants wagon stuck next to the road. He quickly runs up and offers him help. With a quick magic spell, Victor gets the wagon back on the road. The merchant is very grateful, and after a bit of discussion, Victor gets them a free ride through the gate.
Victor and Gizel hide in makeup boxes, hoping the guards won't look in them. When the wagon reaches the gate, it is stopped, and the guards ask to see his letters and merchant seal. They begin a thorough search of the wagon, and Victor feels that if he doesn't do something soon, they'll be discovered. He closes his eyes and casts a telepathy spell.
"Titen, can you hear me? If you're there, please answer me."
"Well, if it isn't the young paladin. What do you require of me?"
"We're trying to make it past the border into Grakon-Konia, and there's a good chance we'll be discovered soon. So I'd like you to cause a scene that'll make all the guards focus on you and just let us through."
"Hahahaha. Well, I'm truly surprised. I never thought you'd need me for such a tiny favor. I'll gladly do it for you."
Thanks, Titen, you're the best."
Titen opens his wings and takes off towards the border. As the guards come to the make-up boxes, a bell suddenly rings out, and the watchman shouts at the top of his lungs.
"DANGER DANGER!!!! WE HAVE A GRIFFIN COMING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE WALL! ALL GUARDS GET INTO FORMATION!!!"
The guards stop their search and show the merchant to move along through the gates. Once they make it through the gate, everyone breaths a sigh of relief. Victor smiles and talks to Titen again.
"That was quite spectacular. Well done for making the distraction."
"You're welcome. It's just a pity I can't eat these delicious looking creatures first."
"Relax, Titen. There will come a time for that, then you can eat to your hearts content."
"Haha. Very well, I shall hold you to that promise, young paladin."
"How strange for a Griffin of all creatures to show up. Well, at least him being there made our lives a lot easier. Victor, what do you think abo-"
Victor gazes out at the lush green pastures, which causes something to resonate within him.
"So this is the country my mother was born in. What secrets do you hold? Country of Grakon-Konia."